All right, let see…ummm…I think that there are approximately three to five chapters left for this story. It might change though; I'm not very sure. Anyway, I'm very excited to end this (not that I want it to end or anything) because I never actually ended anything. Am I stalling? All right, nothing belongs to me; they all belong to J.K. Rowling. Here's Chapter 24…

Chapter 24

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The next day, Harry barely stayed away through most of his classes. Twice he was nudged awake by Ron to avoid trouble from the teachers. In Transfiguration, which was the last class of that afternoon, Professor Mcgonagall was just telling the Gryffindors about the O.W.L.s.

"You're are about to take your O.W.L.s during the last day of your exams before you leave for the summer. I trust that all of you are either preparing or are prepared to take this test that will eventually determine your status in your magical education. I hope that you are all taking this warning seriously, right, Mr. Potter?" she called to Harry, who was drowsing off.

"Huh? Er, right, Professor Mcgonagall," he said off-guardedly. Seamus and Dean sniggered.

"Then what did I just say?" she snapped.

"Er…" As if on cue, the bell rang. "Save by the bell," he muttered. Everyone was packing up his or her things to head to the Great Hall. When Harry, Ron, and Hermione were at the door, Professor Mcgonagall called out to Harry.

"The Headmaster wants to see you, Potter." Harry looked at Ron, who looked at him back confused.

"We'll see you at the Great Hall," said Hermione. Harry followed Professor Mcgonagall to the Headmaster's office. She gave the password and they went up to his office, whose door stood ajar.

"…But I am quite there. Just a couple more days should do it…" he heard someone say.

"I am sorry, Briana. There's nothing more I can do. Cornelius Fudge is already very strict about me meddling with Ministry affairs. We have to go with them. It says here that two aurors will pick up the duplicate day after tomorrow. Now, you still have time to-"

"They just can't. I'm a member of-" Professor Mcgonagall cleared her throat and they all fell silent.

"Oh, Minerva, thank you," said Professor Dumbledore. Professor Sullivan smiled at Harry and turned to Dumbledore.

"I will come back, shall I?" she asked him. Dumbledore nodded. She then turned to leave, winking at Harry as she went. Professor Mcgonagall also left. Dumbledore offered him a seat in front of his desk.

"So…I have heard your scar has hurt last night," he said.

"Er, yes, sir," he answered. "How did you know?"

"Well, as you saw, I was talking to your Professor Sullivan. Now, I have to ask you, Harry, who was the servant?"

"I don't remember, Professor," he replied. He couldn't remember half of the things that happened in his dream.

"Hmm…" Dumbledore said thoughtfully. They fell silent for a moment.

"Two aurors will pick up the Fat Lady's portrait the day after tomorrow?" Harry asked.

"Yes, but it is the duplicate. The real one will be restored and be put back at the Gryffindor Tower," Dumbledore replied. "Is there anything else you would like to tell me?" Harry shook his hand and he was entirely truthful about this.

"Well, in that case, if there's anything at all you would like to tell me, don't hesitate to come here." With that, Harry left the Headmaster's office.

A day has past when Harry received a reply from Sirius. He told Harry that if his scar had hurt again, he should either tell Dumbledore or Professor Sullivan. He also reminded Harry of his promise to stay in Hogwarts after school hours. Harry felt relieved that he had gotten an answer from Sirius.

That night, after quidditch practice, Harry and Ron went up to the entrance hall and found two visitors there with the Headmaster and Professor Sullivan.

"That's probably the aurors you were talking about, Harry," muttered Ron. After his visit to the Headmaster, Harry had told Ron and Hermione everything about what Professor Sullivan and Dumbledore said. They crept slowly up to the stairs, but when Ron stubbed his foot on the stairs and swore loudly, the four spotted them.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, another fine practice I assume?" called Professor Dumbledore, smiling.

"Why don't you two come here?" called Professor Sullivan, she seemed relieved to see them. So Harry and Ron had no choice but to approach them. "Maria, Jack, these are just a couple of my students here, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Ron, Harry, this is Maria Costello and Jack Griffin. They are aurors from the Ministry."

"Nice to meet you."

"Hello."

"They are here on a special task," explained Dumbledore. "Why don't you two come to my office first for tea?"

"Well, I suppose we can first. But it would be better if we take a look at the portrait," said Maria Costello. Harry noticed that she look exactly like how she looked when she was at Hogwarts, only taller. She had long black hair that was keep in a plait.

"Yes, Maria is right. We can't take to long because we have other things to do," said Jack Griffin. He was a tall man with dark red hair and dark green eyes.

"All right, if that is how you feel, then Briana, will you take them to your office?" said Dumbledore. She nodded and gestured them to follow her.

"Well, it was nice meeting you two," Maria said warmly. They left with Professor Dumbledore. Harry and Ron looked at each other and followed them quietly towards Professor Sullivan's office. On their way, they bumped into Hermione, who just come from the library.

"There you are! I have been looking all over for you two. Is practice done?" she asked.

"Ssh!" said Ron, as he pulled her to the side.

"What? What is going on?" asked Hermione sternly. Harry explained to her what they saw at the entrance hall and the reason why they were following the adults. "But this is against the rules! We could get in trouble!"

"Oh, come on, Hermione. You know you want to find out why they are here too," said Ron.

They waited around the corner of the corridor for about fifteen minutes. Then they heard Professor Sullivan arguing loudly.

"But, all I am asking is that you give me more time with it!"

"Annie, I am truly sorry but I cannot do that. The Minister, he specifically ordered us to take it to London for further investigations. I am sorry." The two visitors stormed out of the office carrying the frame with them. Dumbledore closely followed them.

"Why don't you two come to my office for tea?"

"Yes, that would be best."

"I swear, she starting to become more and more like Alastor himself," said Maria irritably.

Harry, Ron, Hermione hid themselves behind the corner and waited till they left towards the second floor. They then went to Professor Sullivan's office. They found her tidying up.

"Hello, what can I do for you?" her voice sounded as if she was trying to calm down.

"Professor, is that the same Maria Costello you went to school with?" asked Ron, helping her with tidying up.

"Yes, I believe so," she said. Then she sighed. "Maria and I have never actually seen each other since…since fifteen years ago. She hasn't change much."

"Professor, can I ask you something?" asked Harry.

"Sure, go ahead."

"Whatever happened to Samantha Abberton?"

Professor Sullivan put her things down and sat on her chair behind her desk. She looked as though she was trying to figure out what to say. "I don't exactly know what happened to her. The day your parents died, she just disappeared. Remus and I tried to find her, but it was no use. I don't know if she's still alive or not."

"So she just disappeared?" asked Hermione. "But why?"

"I don't know, Hermione, I don't know. It still bothers me to think of the reasons why. It's either she's out there or not." They were silent for a moment. Harry tried to imagine what happened. He imagined Remus and Briana finding an empty flat with no note or anything.

"Well, I think you three should go back to your common room. I can handle things right here."

They said good-bye to her and left towards the Gryffindor Tower.

Okay, this chapter was really hard to write. I suffered writer's block again. Please leave a review. Trust me the next chapters would be a lot better. Thank you!